News

On November 16, 2010, University of Minnesota Law School Professor Robert Stein’s Great Cases course featured distinguished guests who provided personal accounts of one of the most significant events in American history: the Watergate break-in and its aftermath.

On April 7, 2011, Mary Robinson will participate in a University of Minnesota Great Conversations event hosted by Law School Dean David Wippman. The first woman President of Ireland (1990-97) and former U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997-2002), Robinson has spent most of her life advocating for human rights.

On Friday, November 12, 2010, the Constitutional Court of Kosovo visited the Law School for an invigorating discussion with several faculty members. Judge John R. Tunheim (ʽ80) of the United States District Court arranged the event, which included professors Fred Morrison, Allan Erbsen, Jennie Greene and Robert Stein. Eight of the nine members of the Constitutional Court of Kosovo were able to attend, and pictured to the left is Judge Gjyljeta Mushkolaj.

The University of Minnesota Law School's Civil Practice Clinic has filed a lawsuit in Hennepin County District Court on behalf of property homeowners in parts of Minneapolis who appear to be victims of significantly inflated assessments.

35W Bridge Collapse Presentation

August 1, 2007, marked the greatest man-made catastrophe in the history of Minnesota when the I-35W bridge collapsed into the Mississippi River killing 13 and injuring more than 150 people. On November 19, 2010, local lawyers Chris Messerly and Philip Sieff of Robins, Kaplan, Miller, and Ciresi LLP came to the Law School to tell their story of embarking on a three-year pro bono campaign in the court and legislature to obtain justice for those who lost loved ones and survivors. They explained how their mission made the nation's bridges safer for the public.

This year's Minnesota Justice Foundation (MJF) Annual Awards Celebration took place November 10, 2010, at International Market Square. B. Todd Jones ('83), U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota, gave the keynote address, entitled "Balancing National Security Concerns and Civil Liberties—Policy, Politics, and Practicalities in the 21st Century."

On Tuesday, October 26, 2010, the Minnesota Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in a special session at the University of Minnesota Law School. The first and second arguments were open to all students, faculty, staff and the public. 1Ls were required to attend the third argument as part of the 1L Lecture Series. Judges Terri I. Stoneburner, Louise Dovre Bjorkman ('85), and James C. Harten heard the cases.

The University of Minnesota Law School and the Minnesota Journal of International Law hosted the biennial conference of the American Society of International Law’s (ASIL) International Economic Law Interest Group this year. The conference, entitled "International Economic Law in a Time of Change: Reassessing Legal Theory, Doctrine, Methodology and Policy Prescriptions," was held on November 18-20, 2010, at the Law School.

This issue's feature stories examine the rewards, challenges, and memories of careers in the courtroom. In "Where the Trials Are," writer Cathy Madison describes criminal law from the viewpoint of prosecuting attorneys, defense attorneys, public defenders, a U.S. Attorney, and a judge. The issue also contains much more, including Law School activities, faculty news, accomplishments and grants, student and alumni news, events, and profiles.

To decrease costs, the University of Minnesota will be closed December 24, 2010, through January 2, 2011. The heat will be turned down in most buildings and labor requirements lowered during this period, when University activities and productivity are naturally reduced.

The University of Minnesota Board of Regents voted unanimously to name Eric Kaler as the 16th president of the University, succeeding President Robert Bruininks, who returns to the faculty in June 2011. The vote to approve Kaler came after two days of public meetings with the finalist and members of the university community, a public forum, and a public interview at the board meeting. Kaler, 54, will be only the second University alumnus to serve as president of Minnesota's land-grant and research University.

Thank You to Our Adjunct Professors and Attorney Instructors

The Law School calls on many of our alumni and local judges and attorneys to teach legal writing as well as clinics, courses and seminars. Many volunteer and devote countless hours of preparation and grading. We want to express our sincere appreciation for their time and the expertise they bring to the classroom. Thank you!

Events

On January 10, 2011, former Vice President Walter F. Mondale ('56) will be the featured "Witness to History" in the University's LearningLife series at the Continuing Education and Conference Center, 1890 Buford Ave., St. Paul campus. He will discuss his firsthand experiences in political and historic events with Prof. Larry Jacobs of the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. Mondale's book, The Good Fight: A Life in Liberal Politics, was released this fall. Tickets for the 7 p.m. event are $15. For more information, email cceinfo@umn.edu or call 612-624-4000.

On Tuesday, February 15, 2011, Professor Daniel Gifford of the Law School will give his Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi Professorship of Law reappointment lecture. Entitled "American and European Perspectives on Antitrust Law," the lecture will be held in Lockhart Hall (Room 25) at 4:00 p.m.

The 26th William E. McGee National Civil Rights Moot Court Competition will be held Feb. 24-26, 2011, at the Law School, which sponsors the competition to promote interest in civil rights law and to develop the oral advocacy and writing skills essential to successful appellate practitioners.

As a thank you to those who volunteer to judge the competition, organizers are planning a free CLE/CJE program entitled "'I do.' 'Oh no you didn't.' The Constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act." The program will be offered live on Jan. 28 at 1:00 p.m. and as a video replay on Feb. 11 and March 25. Judges will be contacted with further information when plans are finalized.

The National Civil Rights Moot Court Competition is named for William E. McGee ('80), a dedicated advocate for the poor and underpriviledged and the first African American appointed Chief Public Defender in Minnesota.

On Tuesday, March 8, 2011, Professor Ann Burkhart of the Law School will give her Curtis Bradbury Kellar Professorship of Law reappointment lecture. Entitled "Bringing Manufactured Housing into the Real Estate Finance System," the lecture will be held in Lockhart Hall (Room 25) at 4:00 p.m.

On Thursday, March 31, 2011, Wilma B. Liebman of the National Labor Relations Board will give the Fredrikson & Byron lecture. Entitled "Reviving American Labor Law," the lecture will be held in Lockhart Hall (Room 25) at 4:00 p.m.